ISTD Latin American Paso Doble (6th Edition)

ISTD Latin American Paso Doble (6th Edition) is a technical syllabus book by Elisabeth Romain, published by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). It covers the prescribed figures and technical principles of International Latin Paso Doble, organised across the Student Teacher, Associate, Licentiate and Fellow examination levels.

Paso Doble is distinguished by its strong musical accents, deliberate body shaping and characteristic movement patterns. This manual provides a structured approach to studying those qualities through the ISTD syllabus, with figure charts and technical explanations intended for dancers, teachers and examination candidates.

Paso Doble Technique and Figure Study

The book addresses the technical requirements of syllabus Paso Doble through its progressive figure material. Areas of study include:

• Figure construction and step sequences
• Foot positions and movement directions
• Timing and rhythmic interpretation
• Body positions and characteristic shaping
• Partner coordination and changes of position
• Technical details presented through syllabus charts

The syllabus begins with fundamental actions such as Sur Place, Basic Movement, Chasses and Promenade. It then progresses to figures including Huit, Sixteen, Grand Circle, La Passe and Banderillas, before introducing advanced Fellow-level material such as Travelling Spins, Fregolina, Twists and Chasse Cape.

Contents – 30 Paso Doble Syllabus Figures

Student Teacher

1. Sur Place
2. Basic Movement
3. Chasses to Right or Left (including Elevations)
4. Drag
5. Deplacement (also Attack)
6. Promenade Link (also Promenade Close)
7. Promenade
8. Ecart (Fallaway Whisk)
9. Separation
10. Separation with Lady’s Caping Walks

Associate

1. Fallaway Ending to Separation
2. Huit
3. Sixteen
4. Promenade and Counter Promenade
5. Grand Circle
6. Open Telemark

Licentiate

1. La Passe
2. Banderillas
3. Twist Turn
4. Fallaway Reverse Turn
5. Coup de Pique
6. Left Foot Variation
7. Spanish Lines
8. Flamenco Taps

Fellow

1. Syncopated Separation
2. Travelling Spins from Promenade Position
3. Travelling Spins from Counter Promenade Position
4. Fregolina (also Farol)
5. Twists
6. Chasse Cape (including Outside Turn)

A Reference for Teaching and ISTD Examinations

The syllabus is arranged by qualification level, allowing teachers and students to study the prescribed Paso Doble figures systematically.

For examination candidates, the technical charts provide material for reviewing figure requirements and developing a consistent understanding of ISTD technique. Dance teachers and coaches can use the manual when preparing lessons, examining figure construction and supporting students as they progress through the syllabus.

The book is also relevant to competitive Latin dancers who wish to strengthen their understanding of traditional Paso Doble technique and its characteristic movement vocabulary.